The new format of Travel Radio Australia is now into its second edition and the latest podcast can be heard on the audio player below this post.

We're pleased with the number of people who have downloaded or listened to the podcast online and we will keep producing new shows as material (and spare time) becomes available.

There will be a break in production for a month from late February, as I'll be travelling the high seas on Royal Caribbean's mighty ship 'Independence of the Seas'. Our itinerary will include a range of Spanish and Portuguese ports.

In addition to the cruise I'll be making independent visits to England, Holland and France.

No doubt I'll get plenty of inspiration from that trip for plenty of new podcast segments upon my return. Meanwhile here's is the latest show:

• Ren Zwiers has info on what's new in the Whitsundays region, Queensland
• Frances Beasley provides some interesting facts on the Bolshoi Ballet.
• From our US sister show, Around the World, Karen Ensign visits China.
• Ren Zwiers gives an insight into the renewed popularity of Bed and Breakfast establishments in Europe.

Listen to podcast on player below

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Ayrshire and Robert Burns

On this week's edition of ATW Travelradio Australia Arthur von Wiesenberger chats with Irish contributor David Gordon about Ayrshire and its association with author Robert Burns. Also featured: John Crook visits Orange wine growing distric (NSW); Frances Beasley describes the Spanish Human Tower tradition; Arthur and his US studio team interview Ray Bartlett on Seoul (Korea). In conclusion, John Crook presents the second part of his interview with son Wes about visiting China.

Podcast link

Have you ever been to Spitsbergen?

 On this week's edition of ATW Travelradio Australia, the US team, Arthur von Wiesenberger, Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits) and Martha Bull chat with Christine Eichin about Spitsbergen (Norway). Also on the show, John Crook catches up with his son Wes to discuss travel experiences in China and reviews Brut Vivant wines; Frances Beasley cooks up a storm in Germany.

Link to podcast

VIDEO: Shenzhen - China's shopping haven

We joined a Gray Line shopping day tour at our hotel in Hong Kong to the industrial city of Shenzhen located on the southern China coast one hour's travel by ferry, train or car from Hong Kong. The tour stops at several minor attractions before finishing at the mighty Wo Lu shopping centre for a three hour spending spree at the thousands of small shops selling rip offs, ranging from second-rate to first class copies of all designer labels.

VIDEO: Kowloon, Hong Kong

The video starts with some views inside and from our hotel at BP International House, situated right next to beautiful Kowloon Park. We then venture oputside for a morning walk through the park.

VIDEO: Macau - the Vegas of Asia

The 'Vegas' of Asia - Macau is located on the south China coast, one hour by ferry from Hong Kong. It boasts more than 20 casinos with more gambling 'palaces' under construction. This video visits some of the old town areas of Macau as well as the huge Venetian Casino Resort and the popular Wyn's Casino. We also visit the observation deck at Macau Tower, although some of the vistas are a bit 'fogged out'...a common problem in this part of the world.

Winter in Manchuria - Some like it cold!

An extraordinary insight into how the people of Manchuria, Siberia and Mongolia celebrate winter when temperatures range from minus-29 degrees celsius to a maximum of just 4-plus is on offer from Far Horizons in February of next year.

The unusual 19-day tour will include the spectacular Harbin Ice Lantern Festival in China’s Dong Bei Province (formerly Manchuria) with its fairy-tale landscape of life-size buildings and cartoon characters created from ice and snow, and the one-time Cossack settlement of Irkutsk where there’ll be a traditional troika ride in this most-popular tourist attraction in Siberia.

As well, New Year will be celebrated in Mongolia with a stay with a local family in a traditional ‘ger,’ competitions between eagle hunters in traditional costumes, and displays of archery on horseback by Chinggis Khan soldiers.

Other highlights will include a camel polo competition in the South Gobi Desert, the largest and most important Monastery in Mongolia, Prince Volkonsky’s mansion in Siberia including a “Romantic Concert” of Russian, French and Italian songs accompanied on a rare vertical piano, the world’s largest ice-skating rink on the frozen Lake Baikal, and Mongolia’s International Skating Marathon and Ice Festival with horse-drawn sleighs, reindeer competitions – and wrestling on ice.

The 19-day tour is priced from $15,000pp from Sydney including return air, twin-share in hotels and traditional ‘gers’ at tourist camps, all meals, local guides, ground transport, excursions, entries, gratuities and services of a Far Horizons escort; full details on 1800 083 141 or www.farhorizons.com.au

Macau or bust - is this casino heaven?

TOP: Grand Lisboa hotel and casino, a lotus flower shaped skyscraper.
ABOVE: The remains of St Paul's Cathedral in Macau.

If you think Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world, you obviously haven't been to Macau.

Perched off the South China coast, tiny Macau consisting of two islands and a peninsula (all interconnected with long bridges), boasts approximately 25 casinos and several more under construction.

Biggest of the gambling edifices is The Venetian - a mega resort, casino and indoor shopping complex which is based on the Las Vegas version of the same name but twice as big. In fact, it's Asia's biggest resort and the second largest indoor space in the world.

Wandering through this imitation of Italy's canal city is quite an experience - even for people who 'have seen it all'. It could be described as the eighth wonder of the world.

However, Macau is not just a gambler's paradise - it may be a small nation with less than half a million residents, but it's an interesting stopover for tourists featuring several of other attractions.

Every visitor to Macau must head for the main square in the old town and walk the stairs up to the remaining facade of St Paul's Cathedral which dates back to the 1600s. All that's left is the front, the remainder was burnt down more than a hundred years ago, but it still provides an impressive setting.

After gazing at the cathedral front, walk down the many steps to the small shops in the narrow streets below and in particular the Portuguese bakery which sells the traditional egg tarts...one of the most delicious treats you can ever imagine. We bought a bag full and had them for a sweet breakfast the next morning as well.

The city of Macau (or Macao) is on the peninsula which borders China's mainland. There are plenty of casinos in the city area but cross the bridges to Taipa island and you'll find a collection of even newer gambling palaces (including the Venetian).

Back in town and right near our hotel is the imposing Fisherman's Wharf - a large village featuring imitations of building styles from around the world. This tourist attraction complete with Roman-style amphitheatre, touristy shops and numerous cafes (and of course, another casino) has never turned a cent profit yet, but, give it time, it may gain popularity in years to come.

Hotels in Macau are outstanding in quality - as you would expect in a country where money speaks its own language. We stayed in Casa Real Hotel, a short walk from the ferry terminal - it's conveniently located to many 'must see' points including The Sands casino and a 10 minute walk from the inner city area.

Access to Macau is either by direct flight from Sydney to Macau International Airport on Viva Macau airline. However, a more popular route is the one hour fast cat ferry services from either Hong Kong International Airport or either Kowloon or Hong Kong Island departure points.

Ferries are cheap and run every half hour from Hong Kong and about seven times daily from the airport ferry terminal.

Macau may be back in Chinese hands, but it's not a strictly Buddhist country - its Portuguese heritage has created a large Catholic population and there are some Protestants, even though only five percent of the current residents are Portuguese (or other Europeans) with 95 percent being Chinese.

Macau is a fascinating place which is growing fast in tourism stature. We'll certainly look forward to returning at some time in the future.

-Ren Zwiers